“To employ the kinds of ventilation that are not onerous, but certainly we have the capacity, the technologies available to begin to control these environments to protect neighboring communities,” he said. The suit also seeks unspecified damages.

In a joint statement, the companies say the mold is naturally-occurring and not related to whiskey production.

While we are sympathetic to the concerns of the plaintiffs, the blackening of some buildings and other structures is due to a naturally occurring common mold that is found widely throughout the environment, including in areas unrelated to the production of whiskey. The companies involved do not believe that they have caused any harm to the plaintiffs or their property and we will vigorously contest these claims.